ABOUT THE SPORT: Equestrian is unique because horse and rider are considered a team and both are named medal winners. Men and women compete as equals.
The three Olympic disciplines are dressage, show jumping and eventing.
Dressage is performed as a test - a prescribed series of movements in a prearranged order within a standard arena.
Show jumpers are required to jump from 15 to 20 obstacles and receive penalties for knocking down any part of a fence or wall. The goal is to negotiate the course fault-free within a time limit. If more than one team finish without faults, a faster, shortened course is set up and the fastest clear round wins.
Eventing horses are triathletes, competing in dressage, show jumping and cross country, run on a 5,700-meter course with a maximum of 45 obstacles. Cross country replaces the endurance test this Games to reduce distances and intensity.
AMERICA'S BEST (DRESSAGE): For the first time, the United States has two riders near the top of the world rankings. Lisa Wilcox, who has been living and working in Germany, is second and Debbie McDonald fourth. Robert Dover, 48, of Wellington, a legend in American dressage, will compete in his sixth Olympics. Two-time medalist Guenter Seidel is the fourth member. The Americans have their eyes on the silver medal but might have to settle for bronze.
WORLD'S BEST (DRESSAGE): Germany and the Netherlands are the favorites. Denmark and Spain should contend with the United States for a medal.
AMERICA'S BEST (SHOW JUMPING): Beezie Madden, 30, enters her first Games as the top woman in the world. She and her horse, Authentic, won the Trials. Chris Kappler earned two medals at the 2003 Pan Am Games, team gold and individual silver. Other team members are McLain Ward and Peter Wylde who currently lives and trains in The Hague, Holland.
WORLD'S BEST (SHOW JUMPING): Top contenders are Germany's Ludger Beerbaum and Marcus Ehning, Switzerland's Marcus Fuchs and Brazil's Rodrigo Pessoa.
AMERICA'S BEST (EVENTING): The Americans are a major force internationally and are considered a top contender for team gold. Darren Chiacchia won the individual gold at the 2003 Pan Am Games. Julie Richards, Kimberly Severson, Amy Tryon and John Williams complete the team.
WORLD'S BEST (EVENTING): Australia, France and Great Britain are the U.S. team's strongest competition.
